Wrestling Bear Is No Match for Sheriff; Act Gets Axed

“Terrible Ted” roams the country, engaging in wrestling exhibitions. But his act was banned in Centralia, Ill.

Ted, you see, is a 500-pound Siberian bear, whose owner was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and cruelty to animals before the event began outside of a tavern.

Andy Richard Walker, 37, of Calhoun, Ga., had arranged for Ted to wrestle patrons of the Blues Brothers Cafe in Centralia Thursday night.

But anti-cruelty groups saw advertisements promoting the wrestling bear and called the local sheriff to complain.

“We’ve got a tavern full of angry customers,” tavern owner Don Willeford said moments after the exhibition was quashed. Observers estimated between 200 and 300 people had paid $5 each to watch the bear wrestle.

Add bear: “Terrible Ted” wears a muzzle while wrestling, and the bear’s front teeth and claws have been surgically removed. According to Walker, Ted loves the exhibitions.

Ted sleeps in a trailer--or, anywhere he wants to.

Trivia time: UCLA reached the Final Four in Larry Brown’s first year as coach in 1980. Where did the Bruins finish in the Pacific 10 Conference?

Ready to go: Comedian Billy Crystal said that, as a kid, he idolized Brown, who is known for changing coaching jobs frequently.

“I did everything like him,” Crystal said. “I even kept a packed suitcase in my room.”

Snowman, or showman?Herschel Walker, the Minnesota Viking running back who will compete in the bobsled event in the Winter Olympics, said he expects to win a gold medal.

Walker’s answer to anyone doubting his Olympic prospects: “If I can talk it, I can walk it.”

Anything else? Irwin Jacobs, part owner of the Vikings, says the trade that sent five players and several high draft choices to the Dallas Cowboys for Walker would go down as one of the worst trades “for the past, present and future of the history of NFL football.”

Student athletes: From an Arizona State media release: “Arizona State University has signed three recruits to study and play football, head football Coach Bruce Snyder announced.”

Hand-icap: Golf pro Ken Green, who is known for his controversial remarks and his irreverence of the Masters tournament, broke a bone in his left thumb late last year when it got caught in a sliding door.

“I never dreamed how much pressure is applied to the golf swing with the left thumb,” Green told Golf World. “Even in everyday use, like buttoning your shirt. All of a sudden you look like a 2-year-old trying to do it. I’ve been told that I act like a 2-year-old sometimes. I don’t need to look like one, too.”

Indoor bias: “All things being equal, indoor track is much more exciting than outdoor track,” said Howard Schmertz, who may be a bit prejudiced since he has been the meet director of the New York Millrose Games since 1975.

Trivia answer: Fourth, with a 12-6 record.

Quotebook: John Madden on winning: “It’s like a good deodorant. It covers a lot of problems.”